Channel Bonding For Ultra-High Definition Video Background

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for communication ultra-high definition (UHD) video. At the transmitter-side, a single packet stream that includes packets corresponding to a plurality of encoded content streams may be generated, and the single packet stream may be split into a plurality of sub-streams. The splitting may include grouping packets corresponding to the single packet stream into a plurality of chunks, each associated with a respective one of the sub-streams; adding handling related information to each of the chunks; and incorporating into at least one packet in a first one of the sub-streams at least some of handling related information associated with a second one of the sub-steams. The sub-streams may then be processed for transmission over a particular physical medium. At the receiver-side, the signals may be received and processed, and the sub-streams may be reconstructed based on processing of the plurality signals.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/586,150, filed on Dec. 30, 2014, which makesreference to, claims priority to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/921,774, filed on Dec. 30,2013. Each of the above identified applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to communications and videoprocessing. More specifically, certain implementations of the presentdisclosure relate to methods and systems for channel bonding forultra-high definition video background.

BACKGROUND

Conventional approaches to media transmission and/or reception may beinefficient for, or incapable of handling ultra-high definition video.Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosureas set forth in the remainder of the present application with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

System and methods are provided for channel bonding for ultra-highdefinition video background, substantially as shown in and/or describedin connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an example channel bonding transmitter for ultra-highdefinition video.

FIG. 1B depicts chunks of MPEG packets generated in a channel bondingtransmitter for ultra-high definition video.

FIG. 2 depicts an example receiver configured for receivingtransmissions from a channel bonding transmitter for ultra-highdefinition video.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an example process for transmission ofultra-high definition video.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an example process for reception ofultra-high definition video.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “xand/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y, and z.” As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “for example” and “e.g.” set off lists of oneor more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilizedherein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever thecircuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any isnecessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance ofthe function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurablesetting, factory trim, etc.).

FIG. 1A depicts an example channel bonding transmitter for ultra-highdefinition video. Shown in FIG. 1A is a transmitter 100.

The transmitter 100 may comprise suitable circuitry for transmittingvideo, particularly comprising ultra-high definition (UHD) video. Forexample, as shown in the example implementation depicted in FIG. 1A, thetransmitter 100 may comprise K (an integer greater than or equal to 1)ultra-high definition video encoder circuits 102 ₁-102 _(K), astatistical multiplexer circuit 104, a segmenting circuit 106, N (aninteger greater than or equal to 2) modulator circuits 108 ₁-108 _(N),and N analog/RF front-end circuits 110 ₁-110 _(N).

Each of the ultra-high definition video encoder circuits 102 ₁-102 _(K)may be operable to generate a corresponding encoded ultra-highdefinition video stream (103 ₁-103 _(K)). For example, the ultra-highdefinition video encoder circuits 102 ₁-102 _(K) may generate aplurality of MPEG streams carrying ultra-high definition (UHD) video.

The statistical multiplexer circuit 104 may be operable to multiplex aplurality of outputs (e.g., MPEG streams) onto a single stream (e.g., apacket stream 105). In this regard, the packet stream may be generatedsuch that it has a constant bit rate.

The segmenting circuit 106 may be operable to split a single inputstream into a corresponding plurality (e.g. N) of sub-streams(sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N), in the example implementation shown in FIG.1A).

Each of the modulator circuits 108 ₁-108 _(N) may be operable to performnecessary processing, particularly modulation, on a corresponding input(e.g., one of the sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N)), to enable generating datathat is suitable for incorporating into analog/RF carrier signals.

The analog/RF front-end circuits 110 ₁-110 _(N) may be operable transmitan analog/RF signals, corresponding to the sub-streams, onto a physicalmedium 112 (e.g., air, wires, and/or optical fibers). In this regard,each analog/RF front-end circuit 110 _(i) may be operable to process asignal for transmission via a respective channel of the physical medium112. The processing may comprise, for example, amplifying, filtering,digital-to-analog conversion, etc.

In operation, the ultra-high definition video encoder circuits 102 ₁-102_(K) generate a plurality of outputs (103 ₁-103 _(K)), comprisingencoded ultra-high definition video, which may be input into thestatistical multiplexer circuit 104. The statistical multiplexer circuit104 may multiplex the outputs of the encoder circuits 102 ₁-102 _(K)(that is the outputs 103 ₁-103 _(K)) with a goal of generating thepacket stream 105 have a constant bit rate. In some instances, toachieve a constant bit rate, or because achieving a constant bit ratemay not be feasible at the time, the statistical multiplexer circuit 104may insert null (empty) packets into the packet stream 105. The packetstream 105 may be input into the segmenting circuit 106, which may splitthe packet stream 105 into the corresponding N sub-streams 107 ₁-107_(N). The packet stream 105 may be split in this manner because the bitrate of the packet stream 105 may be too high for a single modulatorcircuit 108 _(i) and/or a single analog/RF front-end circuit 110 _(i) tohandle.

The splitting of the packet stream 105 into sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N)performed by segmenting circuit 106 may comprise, for example, groupingevery M*N MPEG packets of packet stream 105 into N chunks of M (avariable number) MPEG packets each. Further, to aid the receiver inreconstructing the stream 105 from the sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N), thesegmenting circuit 106 may append a chunk header to each of the chunks.The chunk header may include, for example, a sequence number and/or atime stamp.

Each of the sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N) may be input to a correspondingone of the modulator circuits 108 ₁-108 _(N), which may perform thenecessary modulation (and/or any additional processing that may needed),to generate data that may be incorporated (via a corresponding one ofthe analog/RF front-end circuits 110 ₁-110 _(N)) into a carrieranalog/RF signal. The resultant analog/RF signals may then betransmitted into the physical medium 112.

FIG. 1B depicts chunks of MPEG packets generated in a channel bondingtransmitter for ultra-high definition video. Shown in FIG. 1B is anexample structure of the packet stream 105 generated during a particularexample use scenario of the transmitter 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Shown inFIG. 1B is a number (e.g., L) packets of the packet stream 105 which hasbeen split into a number of chunks—e.g., into chunks 150 ₁ to 150_(ceiling(L/M)). Each chunk 150 _(x) may comprise M packets 154 and achunk header 152. Thus, each chunk 150 _(x) (1≤x≤ceiling(L/M)) may beconveyed to modulator circuit 108 _(xmodN).

Typically, where a receiver is not able to recover the header for aparticular chunk of packets, all packets of the chunk may be lost.However, generating packet streams in accordance with the presentdisclosure (e.g., the packet stream 105), guards against such loss ofpackets.

In an example implementation, if a chunk 150 _(x) sent on sub-stream 107_(xmodN) has one or more null packets, the segmenting circuit 106 and/orthe corresponding modulator circuit 108 _(i) may repeat some or all ofthe chunk header 152 of the chunk 150 _(x) in the null packet(s) ofchunk 150 _(x).

In an example implementation, if chunk 150 _(x) sent on sub-stream 107_(xmodN) has one or more null packets, the segmenting circuit 106 and/orthe corresponding modulator circuit 108 _(i) may repeat some or all ofthe chunk header 152 of one or more other chunks 150 _(y) (y≠x) in thenull packet(s) of chunk 150 _(x).

In an example implementation, performance monitoring may be used toenhance transmission reliability (e.g., guarding against loss ofpackets). For example, relative performance of the modulator circuits108 ₁-108 _(N), the analog/RF front-end circuits 110 ₁-110 _(N), and/orchannels onto which the analog/RF front-end circuits 110 ₁-110 _(N)transmit may be monitored. Based on such monitoring, it may bedetermined which chunks are most likely to suffer loss of their chunkheader in route to a receiver. Based on such determination, a chunkheader that is relatively more likely to be lost in transit may berepeated in one or more other sub-streams in which the information isless likely to be lost.

In accordance with various example implementations, circuitry of atransmitter (e.g., circuitry of the transmitter 100, as described withrespect to FIG. 1A, for example) may receive, in parallel, a pluralityof chunks a packet stream, and may be operable to process the chunks ina manner that may enable enhancing transmission (e.g., reliabilitythereof). The processing may comprise, e.g., extracting from one or morechunks information related thereto, identifying possible suitablepackets in one or more chunks for insertion of information, andinsertions of information relating to one or more chunks, such as toenhance transmission reliability. Further, buffering may be used duringsuch processing, such as when some chunks are received subsequent toothers.

For example, in accordance with an example implementation, the circuitrymay receive a first chunk and a second chunk of a packet stream, wherethe first chunk may comprise a first chunk header and the second chunkmay comprise a second chunk header. The circuitry may be operable todetect a first null packet in the first chunk, and insert informationfrom the first chunk header in the detected first null packet. Further,in some instances, information from the second chunk header may also beinserted in the detected first null packet (e.g., to enable using thesecond chunk in obtaining information at the receiver-side). Thecircuitry may also detect a second null packet in the second chunk, andmay insert information from the first chunk header in the detectedsecond null packet. Further, in some instances, information from thesecond chunk header may also be inserted in the detected second nullpacket.

Hence, the transmission reliability may be enhanced by insertioninformation (e.g., when needed). For example, the circuitry maydetermine that packets of the first chunk are more likely to be lostthan packets of the second chunk. In response to the determination, thecircuitry may extract information from the first chunk header, and mayinsert that information into the second chunk (e.g., in the second nullpacket). Similarly, where the circuitry may determine that packets ofthe second chunk are more likely to be lost than packets of the firstchunk, the circuitry may, in response to that determination, extractinformation from the second chunk header, and may insert thatinformation into the first chunk (e.g., in the first null packet).

In some instances, additional chunks may be received in parallel, andmay also be used. For example, in accordance with an exampleimplementation, the circuitry may receive a third chunk of the packetstream in parallel with the first chunk and the second chunk. The thirdchunk may then be handled and/or used—e.g., the circuitry may insertinformation from the second chunk header and the third chunk header intothe first null packet.

In some instances, additional chunks may be received subsequently (aftercurrent chunks have been received and handled). Hence, already receivedchunks (e.g., the first and second chunks) may be buffered, such as toenable processing (and using) the additional chunk(s) in enhancingtransmission (e.g., transmission thereof). For example, the circuitrymay buffer the first chunk and the second chunk, until a third chunk(e.g., sent via the same channel as the first chunk or via the samechannel as the second chunk) is subsequently received. In an alternativescenario, the circuitry may buffer the first chunk and the second chunkuntil the circuitry receive, subsequent to receiving the first chunk andsecond chunk, receive, in parallel, a third chunk and a fourth chunk ofthe packet stream, the third chunk comprising a third chunk header andthe fourth chunk comprising a fourth chunk header. The circuitry maythen insert information from the third chunk header into the first nullpacket. The circuitry may insert the fourth chunk header into the secondnull packet.

FIG. 2 depicts an example receiver configured for receivingtransmissions from a channel bonding transmitter for ultra-highdefinition video. Shown in FIG. 2 is a receiver 200.

The receiver 200 may comprise suitable circuitry for receiving video,particularly comprising ultra-high definition (UHD) video. For example,as shown in the example implementation depicted in FIG. 2, the receiver200 may comprise K (an integer greater than or equal to 1) ultra-highdefinition video decoder circuits 202 ₁-202 _(K), a demultiplexercircuit 204, a desegmenting circuit 206, N (an integer greater than orequal to 2) demodulator circuits 208 ₁-208 _(N), and N analog/RFfront-end circuits 210 ₁-210 _(N).

Each of the analog/RF front-end circuits 210 ₁-210 _(N) may be operableto receive a signal (e.g., via a respective channel of the physicalmedium 112) and to process the signal. The processing may comprise, forexample, amplifying, filtering, analog-to-digital conversion, etc.

Each of the demodulator circuits 208 ₁-208 _(N) may be operable todemodulate its input, generating a corresponding one of a pluralityoutputs, which may correspond to a plurality of sub-streams (e.g.,sub-stream 107 ₁-107 _(N)) generated and used at the transmitter-side.

The desegmenting circuit 206 may be operable to (re)generate a singlestream from a corresponding plurality (e.g., N) of sub-streams(sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N)).

The demultiplexer circuit 204 may be operable to demultiplex a singlestream (e.g., a packet stream 105) into a plurality (e.g., K) ofoutputs. In this regard, each of the outputs may comprise encodedultra-high definition video.

Each of the ultra-high definition video decoder circuits 202 ₁-202 _(K)may be operable to decode an encoded ultra-high definition video input(e.g., one of the 103 ₁-103 _(K) streams), thus allowing for extractionof the original ultra-high definition video.

In operation, the receiver 200 may be operable to receive and processsignals that carry encoded ultra-high definition (UHD) video,particularly signals that have been generated and transmitted by antransmitter implemented in accordance with the present disclosure (e.g.,the transmitter 100 of FIG. 1A). For example, during example usescenarios, each analog/RF front-end circuit 210 _(i) may be operable toprocess (e.g., amplifies, filters, performs analog-to-digital conversionon, etc.) a signal received via a respective channel of the physicalmedium 112 and output the processed signal to a correspondingdemodulator circuit 208 _(i). The corresponding demodulator circuit 208_(i) may demodulate its input, thus generating the correspondingsub-stream (e.g., sub-stream 107 _(i)). Next, the desegmenting circuit206, using the chunk header information (found in the chunk headers 152themselves and/or repeated in null packets, for example) may merge thesub-streams (e.g., sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N)) back into a single packetstream (e.g., the packet stream 105). The demultiplexer circuit 204 maythen demultiplex the packets of the single stream, thus generating((re)obtaining) a plurality of encoded streams which may be conveyed tothe ultra-high definition video decoder circuits 202 ₁-202 _(K), fordecoding each of the encoded streams.

In some instances, the implementation and/or operation of the receiver200 may be configured based on the implementation and/or operation ofthe transmitter from which the received video originates. For example,the receiver 200 may be configured to utilize and/or rely on measuresused at the transmitter-side to guard against loss of packets.

In an example implementation, where the chunk header 152 of receivedchunk 150 _(x) has been lost or corrupted, the demodulator 208 _(xmodN)and/or the desegmenting circuit 206 may be operable to recover the lostheader by extracting the information from a null packet of the chunk 150_(x) and/or a null packet of a chunk 150 _(y) (y x), where 150 _(y) maybe received before 150 _(x), after 150 _(x), or in parallel with 150_(x) via a front-end 210 _(ymodN) and demodulator 208 _(ymodN)(ymodN≠xmodN).

In an example implementation where lost header information of chunk 150_(x) has not been inserted into any null packet or otherwiseretransmitted, aspects of this disclosure may enable the receiver 200 todeduce information of the lost header based on header information of oneor more chunk headers of chunks received before, after, and/or inparallel with chunk 150 _(x).

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an example process for transmission ofultra-high definition video. Shown in FIG. 3 is flow chart 300,comprising a plurality of example steps (represented as blocks 302-312),which may be performed in a suitable system (e.g., transmitter 100 ofFIG. 1A) to facilitate transmission of ultra-high definition (UHD)video.

In step 302, multiple ultra-high definition (UHD) video streams (e.g.,MPEG steams) may be generated (e.g., by encoder circuits 102 ₁-102 _(K)of the transmitter 100).

In step 304, the multiple UHD video (MPEG) streams may be combined(e.g., multiplexed, via the multiplexer circuit 104 for example) into asingle stream (e.g., the packet stream 105), with the goal of achievinga constant bit rate.

In step 306, the single stream (e.g., the packet stream 105) may besegmented (e.g., via the segmenting circuit 106). For example, thesingle stream may be segmented into chunks of a particular number (e.g.,M) of packets each.

In step 308, additional information may be inserted into the chunks,such as information that enables a receiver to merge the chunks torecover the stream 105. For example, a chunk header 152 may be added toeach of the chunks. Further, to guard against losing a whole chunk ofpackets as a result of a lost or corrupted chunk header, otherinformation may also be added into the stream—e.g., redundantinformation may be inserted into null packets of one or more of thechunks.

In step 310, each group of a particular number (e.g., N) of chunks isdistributed among N transmit paths. For example, each transmit path maycomprise a modulation component (e.g., modulator circuit 108 _(i)) and afront-end component (e.g., analog/RF front-end circuit 110 _(i)).Distributing the chunks into and use of the multiple transmit paths, mayallow for transmitting of the N chunks in parallel.

In step 312, each of the N chunks may be processed by a respective oneof the N transmit paths and sent onto a respective one of N channels ofthe physical medium 112.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an example process for reception ofultra-high definition video. Shown in FIG. 4 is flow chart 400,comprising a plurality of example steps (represented as blocks 402-410),which may be performed in a suitable system (e.g., receiver 200 of FIG.2) to facilitate reception of ultra-high definition (UHD) video.

In step 402, signals carrying a number (e.g., N) of chunks of MPEGpackets are received via a physical medium (e.g., via corresponding Nchannels of the physical medium 112 physical medium 112).

In step 404, the received chunks are processed, via a correspondingnumber (e.g., N) of receive paths. For example, each receiver path maycomprise a front-end component (e.g., analog/RF front-end circuit 210_(i)) and a demodulation component (e.g., demodulator circuit 208 _(i)).The processing performed via the receiver paths may enable recovery of aplurality of sub-streams (e.g., sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N))corresponding to (or originally embedded, at the transmitter-side) thereceived chunks.

In step 406, the sub-streams 107 ₁-107 _(N) may be processed (e.g., bythe desegmenting circuit 206) to merge (de-segment) the chunks back intothe original stream (e.g., the packet stream 105). The merging may useinformation included in the received chunks (e.g., in the chunk headers152 and/or information in null packets of the chunks), such as when thechunk headers were lost or corrupted, for example.

In step 408, the merged stream (e.g., the packet stream 105) may beprocessed (e.g., demultiplexed, via the demultiplexer circuit 204 forexample) to enable extracting the multiple encoded video streams (e.g.,MPEG streams 103 ₁-103 _(K)) that originally had been combined, at thetransmitter-side, into (to form) the merged stream.

In step 410, the encoded video streams (e.g., MPEG streams 103 ₁-103_(K)) may be decoded (e.g., via the decoder circuits 202 ₁-202 _(K)) toenable extracting (obtaining) the ultra-high definition video.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the processes as described herein.

Accordingly, various embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination ofhardware and software. The present invention may be realized in acentralized fashion in at least one computing system, or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be ageneral-purpose computing system with a program or other code that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computing system such that itcarries out the methods described herein. Another typical implementationmay comprise an application specific integrated circuit or chip.

Various embodiments in accordance with the present invention may also beembedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the featuresenabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and whichwhen loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.Computer program in the present context means any expression, in anylanguage, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause asystem having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b)reproduction in a different material form.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A system comprising: a combiner circuit thatgenerates a single packet stream comprising packets corresponding to aplurality of encoded content streams; a segmenting circuit that splitsthe single packet stream into a plurality of sub-streams, wherein thesplitting comprises: grouping packets corresponding to the single packetstream into a plurality of chunks, each associated with respective oneof the plurality of sub-streams; adding to each of the plurality ofchunks, corresponding handling related information; and incorporatinginto at least one packet in a first one of the plurality of sub-streamsat least some of handling related information associated with a secondone of the plurality of sub-steams; and one or more processing circuitsthat process each of the plurality of sub-streams for transmission overa particular physical medium; and a plurality of transmit circuits thatgenerate, based on the processing of the plurality of sub-streams, aplurality of signals for transmission over the physical medium.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21, comprising a plurality of encoding circuits thatgenerate the plurality of encoded content streams.
 23. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the plurality of transmit circuits concurrentlytransmit each of the plurality of signals, via a respectivecommunication channel in the physical medium.
 24. The system of claim21, wherein the combiner circuit generates the single packet stream suchthat it has a constant bit rate.
 25. The system of claim 21, wherein thecombiner circuit inserts into the single packet stream one or more nullpackets, based on one or more insertion conditions.
 26. The system ofclaim 21, comprising a control circuit, wherein the control circuit:monitors performance during transmission of the content; and configuresor adjusts, based on the monitoring, one or more of the generating ofthe single packet stream, the generating of the plurality ofsub-streams, the processing of the plurality of sub-streams, and thegenerating of the plurality of signals.
 27. The system of claim 21,wherein the segmenting circuit appends to each of the plurality ofchunks a corresponding chunk header that comprises the handling relatedinformation.
 28. The system of claim 21, wherein the segmenting circuitconfigures the handling related information to enable reconstructing thepacket stream at receiver-side.
 29. A method comprising: generating asingle packet stream comprising packets corresponding to a plurality ofencoded content streams; splitting the single packet stream into aplurality of sub-streams, wherein the splitting comprises: groupingpackets corresponding to the single packet stream into a plurality ofchunks, each associated with a respective one of the plurality ofsub-streams; adding to each of the plurality of chunks, correspondinghandling related information; and incorporating into at least one packetin a first one of the plurality of sub-streams at least some of handlingrelated information associated with a second one of the plurality ofsub-steams; and processing the plurality of sub-streams for transmissionover a particular physical medium; and generating based on theprocessing, a plurality of signals for transmission over the physicalmedium.
 30. The method of claim 29, comprising generating the pluralityof encoded content streams.
 31. The method of claim 29, comprisingconcurrently transmitting each of the plurality of signals, via arespective communication channel in the physical medium.
 32. The methodof claim 29, comprising generating the single packet stream such that ithas a constant bit rate.
 33. The method of claim 29, comprisinginserting into the single packet stream one or more null packets, basedon one or more insertion conditions.
 34. The method of claim 29,comprising: monitoring performance during transmission of the content;and configuring or adjusting, based on the monitoring, one or more ofthe generating of the single packet stream, the generating of theplurality of sub-streams, the processing of the plurality ofsub-streams, and the generating of the plurality of signals.
 35. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the splitting comprises appending to each ofthe plurality of chunks a corresponding chunk header that comprises thehandling related information.
 36. The method of claim 29, comprisingconfiguring the handling related information to enable reconstructingthe packet stream at receiver-side.
 37. A system comprising: one or morecommunication circuits that receive signals communicated over one ormore channels in a physical medium; and one or more processing circuitsthat: process the received signals; reconstruct, based on processing ofthe received signals, a plurality of sub-streams, comprising a pluralityof packets and corresponding to an encoded content; combine theplurality of sub-streams into a single packet stream; and extract fromthe single packet steams, a plurality of encoded content streams. 38.The system of claim 37, wherein the one or more processing circuitsobtain handling related information, for use in the reconstructing ofthe plurality of sub-streams, from one or more of the received signals,the plurality of sub-streams, and the single packet stream.
 39. Thesystem of claim 38, wherein the one or more processing circuits controland/or adjust, based on the handling related information, one or more ofreconstructing of the plurality of sub-streams, combining of theplurality of sub-stream into the single packet stream, and handling ofthe single packet stream.
 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the one ormore processing circuits: obtain from at least one packet correspondingto a first one of the plurality of sub-streams, based on processing ofthe received signal, handling related information; and reconstruct basedon the handling related information, a second one of the plurality ofsub-streams.